Mechanical Engineer
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$139,500
Full-time annual
People employed
22,900
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Plans, designs, develops, tests and oversees the manufacturing, operation, maintenance and installation of mechanical systems.
Specialisations
Scope note: Hydraulic engineers (civil) are excluded from this occupation. Hydraulic engineers (civil) are included in Occupation 243236 Water Engineer.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Designs mechanical equipment, machines, tools and components for agricultural, mining, construction, manufacturing and other industrial purposes
- Plans and designs the layout, flow and processes of mechanical and process plants
- Oversees the assembly, erection and commissioning of mechanical and process plant and installations
- Studies and analyses mechanical systems and components to evaluate their performance
- Inspects, maintains and tests mechanical equipment, and investigates mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance issues
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
10%
Female rate
7%
Median age
38
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+13%
5,095 projected jobs
to 2035
+23%
9,249 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Engineering - Technical
Progression pathway
Diploma of Engineering - Technical
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Planning
Progression pathway
Graduate Diploma of Engineering
Specialised training
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
194
ACT · May 2026
15
VIC · May 2026
178
NT · May 2026
8
SA · May 2026
66
NSW · May 2026
233
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Mechanical Engineer.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Brisbane Inner City
2,021 estimated employed
- 1
Brisbane Inner City
2,021 employed
QLD
+20.58%
year on year
- 2
Perth - North West
1,914 employed
WA
+28.03%
year on year
- 3
Perth - South East
1,846 employed
WA
+17.36%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - South East
1,802 employed
VIC
-4.4%
year on year
- 5
Melbourne - Inner
1,773 employed
VIC
-5.74%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
34,635
Moved in from another occupation
3,745
Moved to another occupation
2,285
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 243532
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.